LGLWSM Newsletter 067 - The Sweet and Sour Side of HoneyMarch 29, 2013

Hi!

There's not much sweeter than honey, so I thought it'd be a great way to kick off Easter weekend! It's has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hygroscopic properties, so it can be used medicinally, applied as a beauty product, or consumed as food! How much more versatile can you get?

However, there are a few pitfalls. Read more to find out what makes it good and what makes it bad!

The Sweet Side of Honey

Honey is hygroscopic, which in layman’s terms means that it’s a humectant. It draws moisture from the air so it’s a great way to keep the skin and hair moist.

Use it on cuts and scrapes to help prevent scarring and for easy removal of dressings, such as gauze or bandaids. Since it attracts and retains moisture, its also a great way to plump the skin and moisturize dry skin. Alternately, it’s a great addition to use in home treatments for brittle dry hair.

Honey is also an antimicrobial, which means that it has healing properties that can inhibit the growth of bacteria. Cuts, abrasions and scalds can be covered in honey to prevent bacteria from entering the wound and promote healing. Because it kills bacteria, it can often clear up acne but because it’s a humectant, it won’t dry out the skin.

Dark colored honey, such as Buckwheat honey, contains the most antioxidants. You may also like Manuka honey for it's rich flavor and goodness. Quality honey's may help kill free radicals and supply nutrients that promote the growth of new tissues and cells.

Whether you’re consuming it or applying honey to your skin or hair, honey is a great way to keep healthy overall! One of my favorite marinades for flank steak uses Teriyaki sauce, a drizzle of honey, and a small bit of orange juice.

The Sour Side of Honey

According to a report by Food Safety News, that more than 75 percent of the honey in American supermarkets is ultra processed to the point that all medicinal properties have been removed... making it fake.

"Millions of pounds of honey that have been banned by the European Union are being smuggled into the U.S. from China. Much of this honey is tainted with illegal antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, which can cause DNA damage and cancer, and heavy metals like lead. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that any product that's been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen IS NOT honey."

But wait. Just when you’re about to ditch your honey, it gets interesting. In a rebuttal to the Food Safety News, National Public Radio exclaims that: "The United States blocks imports of Chinese honey because U.S. officials decided that it was being sold at artificially low prices, undercutting American honey producers."

Huh?

And as if that wasn’t enough to take in, bees have been in danger of dying off around the world for more than a decade now. It’s a phenomenon that has been named "Colony Collapse Disorder," or CCD.

The U.S. and the U.K. both reported losing a third of their honeybees in 2010. Italy lost half. It’s also spread to China and India, in addition to many other countries. Furthermore, one third of the U.S. food supply requires the assistance of the honeybee.

Seems to me that Dr. Mercola hit the nail on the head when he said:

"As usual, at the core of the problem is big industry, which is blinded by greed and enabled by a corrupt governmental system that permits the profit-driven sacrifice of our environment. Unfortunately, this motivation reflects an extreme shortsightedness about the long-term survival of the human race, as well as of our planet. Not only are commercial agricultural practices harming honeybee colonies, but your own health is being compromised by deceptive marketing practices."

To be sure you’re not getting fooled and that you're getting quality honey, buy it form local farmers, co-ops, or natural stores that you can trust. Organic brands in the grocery stores should also be fairly dependable. If you’re unsure, ask someone. You have a right to know what you're consuming and serving your family! Even then, you probably won't ever really know for sure.

The other thing to keep in mind is to not make judgements too quickly. Let information settle in your bones. If it makes sense, then roll with it but you may find something out later that contradicts what you thought you knew! It's OK because in life, that's how we learn! The world has changed because of the many ways we receive news today but it's always been a multifaceted and complicated place!

(You may not think you need this but do you? If you've got mercury in your body, you may find the information useful! I am on day 4 of chelating myself and am feeling great! The page also includes a FREE ebook you can download.)

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